A Year Ago Today: Normality Returns as Nuclear-Armed Neighbours Step Back from the Brink

A year ago today, the region teetered on the brink. The events of May 2025, known to the Pakistan Army as "Marka-i-Haq," saw tensions between Pakistan and India escalate into a full-blown, albeit brief, military conflict. The crisis, sparked by an attack in Pahalgam and followed by tit-for-tat air strikes, brought the nuclear-armed neighbors perilously close to a wider war. Dawn's archives from May 11, 2025, vividly recall the intensity of the period, with Pakistan's successful downing of multiple Indian aircraft and subsequent ground operations. It was only through crucial American intervention that a ceasefire was brokered on May 10, pulling the subcontinent back from the precipice. This anniversary serves as a somber reminder of the fragility of peace in the region and the devastating consequences that conflict can unleash. The memory of "Marka-i-Haq" underscores the importance of de-escalation and dialogue, even in the face of extreme provocation. While the immediate crisis was averted, the underlying issues remain, demanding continued vigilance and a commitment to peaceful resolution.